First mate's log:

February 17, 1973

Mary Ann and I enjoyed the school play, but when I told Ginger about it, she said it sounded like there was more drama happening backstage than onstage, "as usual."

She doesn't know about me thinking Marcia had a crush on me, and I don't think Mary Ann would tell her about all that drama. It was a little awkward seeing Marcia again, although it helps that she doesn't know my mistake. I'm just glad things didn't get uglier, including with Dr. Vogel.

Anyway, Peter was surprisingly good as Benedict Arnold, so I'm glad he ended up staying with the play after all.

Carol Brady's diary:

February 18, 1973

After almost four-and-a-half years, I think it's time to redecorate the master bedroom, and I've finally convinced Mike. I had to promise we'd do it ourselves, with the kids' and Alice's help, rather than hire a decorator. I think it'll be fun though. And I don't want to replace furniture, just redo the walls and maybe the carpet.

Luckily, a paint store opened on our island last year, owned by a Mr. Waller. I'll stop by this week and see if they sell wallpaper, too.

February 19, 1973

Another boy confided in me about a crush on Marcia. Yeah, it feels different after the mix-up about her crush. This time it's Charley Waller, the redheaded son of the guy who owns the paint store that opened up last summer. We met when I went to buy paint for the ferry.

(Yeah, the Skipper made me do most of the painting, just like the old days. I didn't mind, because I feel guilty that I'm probably going to quit the ferry after I get married and work for Mary Ann at the pizza parlor. Not that I've told either of them yet, but that's what I'm thinking now.)

Anyway, Charley thinks Marcia is real nice and pretty and smart. They're both sophomores at the high school, so he sees her all the time. And she's friendly, but she's friendly to almost everyone.

"I wanna ask her out, but I'm worried she's out of my league because she's so popular and I'm still kind of the new kid."

"Well, get to know her as a friend and give it time. Even if she's not interested, she'll be a good friend."

He thanked me, although I think he was hoping for some magic words to make her say yes.

February 20, 1973

I met with Mr. Waller and discussed decorating ideas. His son, Charley, who's about Greg's age, works as his delivery boy, so he'll bring some paper samples by later this week. I'll share them with Mike and we can narrow down to our favorite.

February 21, 1973

Yesterday the kids went back to school after President's Day Weekend. And today Cindy told me that Bobby told her his whole class hates him, but she doesn't know why.

"It's not because Peter was Benedict Arnold, is it?"

"No, because then they'd hate me, and everybody likes me."

I can't remember anything Bobby might've done that would annoy his classmates, as opposed to his brothers and sisters, but I'm sure he'll come and tell me about it soon.

February 22, 1973

The school appointed Bobby a Safety Monitor, for the next few weeks until Spring Break. It's a great honor, since his teacher sees him as responsible. But he thinks the "SM" on his badge should stand for "Snitch Monitor." This is a little like when Peter didn't want to play Benedict Arnold, because he didn't want to be "the bad guy."

Of course, it's not the same situation, because Benedict was a traitor, and Bobby would be helping his classmates follow rules to keep everyone safe. Mike and I definitely don't want Bobby trying to get out of this by faking laryngitis and a sprained ankle. We gave him a lecture/ pep talk to encourage him to keep the position. We both think it will be good for him.

February 23, 1973

It turns out that the reason why everybody in Bobby's class "hates" him is because he was named Safety Monitor. He has to help enforce the rules at school, especially outside of class.

"Wow, that's tough. I remember when the Skipper wanted me to take over as leader. But even the time I was elected president of the island, it was hard to get anyone to listen to me."

"Uh, right."

I suddenly realized that he was too young to be paying attention to island politics back then. "So are you gonna be the monitor?" I hoped it wasn't gonna be a replay of Peter and Benedict Arnold.

"I didn't want to at first, but my folks explained how important it is. And I've been reading my school's rule book, and it's real interesting. Like, I didn't know that gum-chewing is against the rules. I would've had to cite myself last week!"

"Wow!" I tried not to think about all the times I chewed gum in school.

I'm glad he's sticking with it, the assignment, not the gum. And hopefully his classmates won't resent him or ignore him like the other castaways resented and ignored me.

February 24, 1973

Charley Waller asked Marcia on a date for next Saturday. This was a couple days ago, and he thought it was too short notice to go out today. She accepted, even though he's not handsome or suave. (As for Eddie, he hit it off with Brenda that night Greg and Marcia met their dates and other friends at the Pizza Parlor, after Marcia decided not to babysit for Dr. Vogel.)

"Charley is really nice and he is cute, in that nerdy redheaded sort of way, like Ronny Howard. So I think it'll be fun."

I was happy that Marcia was going out with a nice boy, and I did like him the one time we'd met, at his father's store. But then I remembered something. "Oh, Marcia, next Saturday is Alice's fiftieth birthday!"

"It is? I didn't know that."

"Well, she obviously doesn't like to talk about her age." I know about it because of paperwork, as her employer. "But I feel like we should throw her a surprise party."

"Ooo, what a groovy idea!"

"Thank you. Do you think Charley would be willing to reschedule?"

"Probably. It's not like we were going to a concert or anything we can't do a week later."

He did indeed agree to postpone their date until Saturday the 10th. And, yes, I'm planning the surprise party while also thinking about redecorating my and Mike's bedroom. I would redecorate Alice's bedroom, too, if I could do it without her knowing about it ahead of time.